Juvenile employment

All employers who employ children of statutory school age have a duty to ensure each child has been registered with the Authority and has an Employment Licence or Entertainment Licence for acting and modelling. Parents should make every effort to ensure that their children are not being exploited. Children derive considerable benefits from part-time employment, however it must not affect their physical or educational well being. The School Attendance Team undertakes a range of responsibilities, including:

• provision of information on juvenile employment to pupils, parents and employers;
• issuing of employment and entertainment licences, in line with current legislation;
• raising awareness of child employment issues through school assemblies;
• raise awareness of bylaws and regulations with employer's organisations.
• develop and distribute leaflets appropriate to need;
• visit employers to ensure they understand and comply with bylaws;
• maintain database of employers and children of school age in employment;
• issuing of warning or prosecutions to employers who fail to comply with the legislation;
• development and implementation of policies in relation to juvenile employment and entertainment;
• monitoring of juvenile employment to ensure that young people within the Authority are not exploited and that their employment does not adversely affect their attendance, punctuality or attainment at school.

Look at and print the Juvenile Employment Application Form and Guidelines. This form needs completing for all school aged children who are in paid employment.

For Entertainment Licences, these must be applied for by the producer of the event or the model agency. The application must be made on the appropriate Entertainment Application Form.

These forms can be downloaded or are obtainable from the School Attendance Team, completed by the applicant and the parent, and returned to the School Attendance Team at least 21 days before the event. The School Attendance Team may refuse to issue a licence under certain circumstances and therefore the child cannot take part in the event. Time off from school may only be authorised by a licence issued by the School Attendance Team after consultation with the child/young person's Head Teacher.

The legislation controlling children/young people in entertainment is very complex, with strict laws and regulations governing children who take part in performances of all kinds, including performing in theatres and other venues, broadcasting and films. Paid modelling and paid sport also come within this legislation. (Singing in a choir or playing in an orchestra is not performing and therefore does not come within the legislation).

There are occasions when a child taking part in entertainment must be looked after by an adult chaperone (this person is referred to as a Matron) or taught by a tutor. Both these people must be approved by the child's Education Authority.

For further information contact the School Attendance Team.

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